The Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) and 10 out of the 13 political parties that participated in the Ogun State governorship election last Saturday have disagreed over the declaration of Governor Dapo Abiola as winner of that election.
Ogun State chapter of IPAC took a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and its governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, over the rejection of the result of the election.
The Council however advised Adebutu and its party to seek redress in court instead of hitting the street in protest, warning against setting the state on fire and utterances capable of inciting members of the public against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies.
Recall that INEC had on Sunday declared Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election having polled a total of 276,298 votes, while the first runner up, Ladi Adebutu of the PDP garnered 262,
383.
Adebutu had rejected the result of the election, while leading hundreds of his supporters and party members in a protest to INEC office and accused security operatives of providing cover for the election riggers.
But, the IPAC told Adebutu and the PDP to approach the court instead of making unfounded allegations against the electoral commission.
Speaking at a press conference, the state chairman of IPAC, Samson Okusanya commended INEC for the success of the election, describing it as free, fair and credible.
Okusanya berated Adebutu for embarking on the protest instead of presenting his case to court, saying Adebutu’s action was “inimical to the peace of the state”.
Okusanya, who was flanked by the state chairmen of 12 other political parties said they have accepted the outcome of the election and called on Adebutu to present his grievances through the channel recognised by law.
He said, “In elections like this, one candidate will emerge as the winner and anyone that lost out should follow due process which is recognised by law to express their grievances if there is any at all, instead of creating unrest in the state and causing violence.
“We advise them (Adebutu and PDP), as inter-party advisory council, to shun violence. They should also remember that nobody is above the law.
“We want peace and progress for the state. The losers should due process and tow the line of honour to express their grievances and concerns.
“All the registered political parties that are here with their governorship candidates hereby accept the outcome of the governorship and House of Assembly election as announced by INEC.”
Meanwhile, in a related development, 10 out of the 13 political parties that participated in last Saturday’s governorship election in Ogun State, have rejected the result of the election, alleging that the election was fraught with violence, manipulation and irregularities.
The parties, under the auspices of Coalition of Registered Political Parties in Ogun State, also called for immediate arrest of the State Collation Officer, Professor Kayode Adebowale and the suspension of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Niyi Ijalaye.
In a press conference in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the coalition alleged that both Adebowale and Ijalaye committed heinous crimes against democracy.
Parties at the press conference included Social Democratic Party (SDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), Allied People’s Movement (APM), Because Of Our Tomorrow (BOOT party), Labour Party (LP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), African Action Congress (AAC), All Peoples Party (APP) and National Rescue Movement (NRM).
Adebutu and the PDP have rejected the result of the election, calling for a rerun following cancellation of results in many polling units across the State.
Speaking on behalf of the political parties, the state chairman of NNPP, Comrade Olaposi Oginni, accused Adebowale and Ijalaye, of upturning results of the election in favour of Abiodun.
According to him, the INEC stood logic in the head by making a pronouncement of a winner in an election in which the number of cancelled votes tripled the margin of lead between the winner and first runner up.
He said “The Ogun Coalition of Registered Political Parties hereby call for the immediate suspension of the Ogun State Resident Electoral Commissioner and Immediate Arrest and Prosecution of Prof. Kayode Adebowale-The Vice Chancellor of University Ibadan for this heinous crime against Democracy.
“The Ogun Coalition of Registered Political Parties is using this medium to call on all lovers of peace and democracy around the globe to put their searchlights on Ogun State as we are all struggling to bring back hope to the electorates and good people of Ogun State.
“Recognizing the fact that an injustice to one is an injustice to all. We hereby call for the return of the stolen mandate of Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party who is generally believed to be the actual winner of March 18th 2023 governorship election in Ogun State.
According to the group, the March 18 election in Ogun State was massively rigged with lots of irregularities ranging from snatching of ballot boxes in over 100 polling units, suppression of voters with thugs under the cover of security agencies, ballot snuffing and other illegalities.
It added, “Once again we are appealing to all relevant agencies including INEC to do the needful in the interest of good governance and development of our democracy.
“It’s obvious that INEC stood logic in the head by making a pronouncement of a winner in an election in which the number of cancelled votes tripled the margin of lead of the acclaimed winner and closest rival.
“The Ogun Coalition of Registered Political Parties hereby call for the immediate suspension of the Ogun State Resident Electoral Commissioner and Immediate Arrest and Prosecution of Prof. Kayode Adebowale-The Vice Chancellor of Ibadan for this heinous crime against Democracy,” the group added.
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